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Dioscorea elephantipes

Also Known As

Elephant's Foot
Hottentot Bread

Plant type

perennial, vine, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 12"-36"
W: 12"

planting zones

9a-11

More Options

Dioscorea elephantipes plant details

Dioscorea elephantipes is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber or vine with green foliage. In summer green and yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - bright shade and low water. Prefers to be dry when dormant. Does well in rich soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Dioscorea elephantipes

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber or vine
Plant family: dioscoreaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN wide, 12 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: green and yellow blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, exotic, houseplant, rare

GROWING CONDITIONS for Dioscorea elephantipes

USDA Zones: 9a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
Watering frequency: low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: rich

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Also known as the Turtle Plant, the caudex on this plant resembles the shell of a box turtle with its hexagon shaped fissured bark. Caudex is round-oval with vines covered in pillowed, heart shaped leaves. A collector's plant! The caudex should be kept underground for the first few years for fastest growth.

By: Paradise Found Nursery

When we first started growing these particular plants we were a bit over cautious with the water, fearing it would rot. What we finally realized, and confirmed with other growers, is that it likes adequate watering when it's in its growing stage. Just keep it drier when it's dormant.

By: Kara Nursery

(l'Herit.) Engl. Elephants foot. Native to Cape Province and one of the most popular globose Dioscorea and for good reason, the turtle shell like above ground tuber is very attractive as are the heart-shaped leaves. See Rowleys? Caudiciforms.